Peggy Kusy

 At the beginning on December I felt an itching in my breast.  After touching it, I noticed a hardness on the lower part of my right breast.  I just had my annual 3d mammogram a month an a half prior, so I didn't think much of it.  After meeting with my family doctor a few days later, he recommended getting a diagnostic mammogram and ultra sound done.  Bergan first completed the mammogram and told me nothing had shown up and everything looked fine.  We then did the ultra sound, and with that, they could see two areas that "didn't look normal."  They did two biopsies and told me they would get the results the next day.  The next day, my doctor called and told me to come in Monday to discuss the results.  All the kids and I anxiously waited over the weekend and went to the appointment together.  We were told that they found Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in the lymph nodes and breast. 
 After finding out that type of information I knew there was one person I should contact if I was in this situation, Doctor Julie Vose from UNMC.  Julie was a frequent flyer that I had made friends with while working for United over the years.  I knew Julie was the best of the best but I wasn't expecting to get everything going as fast as she did.  I called her at 10pm on a Wednesday and by 8am Thursday morning my phone was ringing and appointments were being made for the next day.  
 The kids and I went to the appointment to meet with the doctors to find out what the plan would be.  First I would get chemo to shrink the aggressive mass and tumor, then I would have a double mastectomy and remove all lymph nodes, followed by radiation.  Before chemo started, I needed to find out if the cancer had spread into my bones or organs with a PET scan.  The results of that was wonderful news!  It was only in the breast and lymph nodes and making it's way up to the collar bone.  
  I will be going through 18 weeks of chemo every three weeks, starting January 5.  I will continue to work as regularly as I had been.  My manager is being so flexible in the fact that I am going to miss work due to the treatment and unexpected sick days.  He is so wonderful and I am so thankful to have him be as understanding as he is. This is where I will be keeping all my family and loved ones up to date on my progress.  I will be posting as well as my kids. I thank everyone who has been so supportive behind me and will appreciate all throughout my journey.